Palace asks De Lima allies not to ‘politicize courts’

Malacañang is hoping that allies of Senator Leila De Lima in the Senate will not politicize the courts following their call for her immediate release from detention.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Francis Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes IV, Bam Aquino, and Risa Hontiveros filed on Wednesday Senate Resolution 645 as they slammed De Lima's continued detention on "trumped-up charges" of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The senators said they were "pained" by the fact that De Lima is in jail "when she should be here with us, engaging in productive discussions, legislating laws, and serving her constituents and our country."

"I hope the senators will not politicize our courts. Let our courts function as they should, free from political interference. I’m appealing to the opposition senators, do not influence the judges," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing in Iloilo when asked to react on the senators' call.

Roque also had a message for De Lima, who will mark her first year in detention on Saturday. 

"Happy first anniversary in detention, Senator Leila De Lima," he said.

De Lima has repeatedly denied allegations that she had conspired with inmates at the NBP to sell or trade illegal drugs during her term as justice secretary in exchange for millions of pesos supposedly for her senatorial campaign.

She is currently detained at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. —NB, GMA News